The announcements that were made at the end of last year, when the sale of Deportivo Cali to foreign investors was finalized, that the team would once again be the protagonist in 2026, were not mere words.
From what has been seen so far, the sugar group is serious about its intention to throw dirt on the disastrous 2025, to be in privileged places again this year.
“Our commitment is for Deportivo Cali to once again be the protagonist. We work so that in 2026 we see a competitive team, with a winning attitude and a solid and sustainable institutional model. Deportivo Cali has history, it has fans and now it has a future,” said Richard Lee, one of the new managers of the sugar team.
For his part, coach Alberto Gamero has also expressed optimism about what can be done this season.
“We, more than anyone, are aware that 2025 was a very bad year for Cali, and that is why we never tire of offering excuses to our fans, but, hand in hand with the new managers, we are working hard for what the 2026 team will be,” said the helmsman of the green and white team.
To fight and regain greatness, Deportivo Cali has been reinforced in all areas with experienced players in some cases and in others with young people who have deserved to be signed by the sugar managers.
One of the most applauded reinforcements is Juan Ignacio Dinenno, an Argentine striker who left his mark on the Cali team when he put on the green shirt in 2019 and showed his scoring skills.
The reinforcements
For now, the players who arrived are the following:
– Pedro Gallese: Peruvian goalkeeper who was a starter for his country’s national team in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The Inca goalkeeper has also been in major competitions, such as the Copa América and the South American qualifiers.
His last stint in the MLS allowed him to maintain the competitive level, and now he is ready to put all that experience into Colombian football.
– Fernando Álvarez: Colombian defender who at 22 years old will have his first experience in national football, after a stint abroad in Pachuca and Montréal FC. In addition, he has a process in the Colombia Under-20 National Team.
– Ronaldo Pájaro: Colombian player who comes from Fortaleza de Bogotá, where he played a great role in 2025.
– Emanuel Reynoso: Argentine midfielder with more than 250 professional games and 41 goals in his career, he has played for Boca Juniors, where he was a three-time champion; Tijuana, Minnesota United, in the MLS and Talleres.
– Daniel Giraldo: He returns to the team that launched him into professional football. With more experience after his time at Millonarios and in Brazilian football, he arrives to contribute in the midfield.
– Joan Gómez: Colombian midfielder who arrives from Real Santander, of the Second Division.
– Juan Ignacio Dinneno: Argentine striker who in his first stage with the sugar producers scored 27 goals in 48 games, being one of the most outstanding men in the green and white eleventh team. Before arriving at Cali he played for Temperley, Deportivo Cuenca and Barcelona, in Ecuador.
After Cali, he moved on to Mexican and Brazilian football.
– Javier Mena: young Colombian winger, on loan from Orsomarso, from the Second Division.
This is how the payroll for 2026 goes
Archers: Pedro Gallese, Alejandro Rodríguez and a third goalkeeper who will be a youth player.
Defenses: Luis Manuel Orejuela, Fabián Viáfara, Felipe Aguilar, Julián Quiñones, Fernando Álvarez, Andrés Correa.
Steering wheels: Daniel Giraldo, Andrés Colorado, Yani Quintero, Ronaldo Pájaro, Matías Orozco, Johan Martínez, Emanuel Reynoso.
Fronts: Avilés Hurtado, Juan Ignacio Dinmenno, Javier Mena, Michael Aponzá, Juan José Montoya.
The sugar team is looking for another center back and a forward.
clear objectives
The Deportivo Cali thing for this season is very clear.
The first obligation is to qualify among the top eight, something that has not happened in the last tournaments, to play in the play offs.
Likewise, there is an enormous need to reach the final stages and, why not, fight for the title of the first semester.
The team, in addition, should be a great protagonist in the Colombia Cup, another tournament in which there have been more failures than successes.
